Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is the natural and healthy way for parents to feed their babies and provides the best source of nutrition in most cases to infants. Breast milk has health benefits for mom, too. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months for optimal growth and development and breastfeeding up to at least a year.
Benefits to baby:
- Easy digestion, less diarrhea and constipation, breast milk is easy to digest.
- Lots of bonding with parent.
- Less likely to have asthma.
- Less ear infections and respiratory infections.
- Less likely to have Type 2 Diabetes.
- Less likely to become obese.
- Lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Benefits to breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent:
- Helps with weight loss.
- Lower risk of ovarian and breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Breastfed/chestfed babies are easy to take on trips. Just grab the diapers and go!
- Breastfeeding/chestfeeding saves money (no formula or bottle costs, fewer doctor bills and medication costs).
- Ready to breastfeed/chestfeed anywhere, don’t need to make and wash bottles.
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is wonderful, but not always easy. Learning what to expect ahead of time and get support from a lactation professional. Check out the Ramsey County Breastfeeding Resource Guide for classes, drop in support groups, childbirth education, Doulas and clinic and hospital lactation services.
Ramsey County Baby Café
Due to COVID-19, all Baby Café sessions are canceled until further notice. For lactation support, please contact one of our bilingual staff:
- Anna (IBCLC) 651-485-5001
- Eryn (IBCLC/ Spanish) 651-249-1683
- Zoua (Hmong) 651-328-0649
- Nasro (Somali) 651-485-8521
Baby Café is a free, drop-in service offering breastfeeding/chestfeeding support. Come share tips and socialize with other pregnant, breastfeeding/chestfeeding families. Babies and siblings are welcome (no child care available).
We offer:
- Professionally trained lactation staff.
- Resource books for lending.
- Relaxed and fun atmosphere.
- Refreshments.
Locations
Baby Café is offered at several locations.
Please see below for the Baby Café closest to you.
- CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
MHealth Maplewood Clinic
2945 Hazelwood Street, Maplewood, 55109
1st Wednesdays of the month
10 a.m. - Noon
- CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Highland Park Library
1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, 55116
4th Wednesdays of the month
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Hmong American Partnership
1075 Arcade Street, Saint Paul, 55106
4th Wednesdays of the month
4 - 6 p.m.
- CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Benjamin E. Mays School (Rondo)
560 Concordia Avenue, Saint Paul, 55103
2nd Thursdays of the month.
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Enter through the east end of the building, the blue Door C.
Ring the ECFE buzzer to be let in.
More information
Eryn Ekegren
651-249-1683
[email protected]
Breastfeeding Friendly Health Department
The Minnesota Department of Health has developed 10 steps to becoming a breastfeeding friendly health department, maternity center, workplace and child care setting. There are three designation levels (bronze, silver and gold) which is based on the number of steps completed successfully. Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health first achieved bronze designation in 2018 and the gold level in 2019.
Status: gold level
Breastfeeding funding opportunity
Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health collaborates with the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition to offer funding for organizations committed to becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Public Space.
Please check back for funding opportunities.
Twin Cities Regional Breastfeeding Coalition
The Twin Cities Regional Breastfeeding Coalition (TCRBC) is currently being organized and encompasses Ramsey County, Hennepin County and Dakota County. The goal of this coalition is to improve the continuum of breastfeeding support for all residents using an equity lenses to identify barriers and create solutions. All are welcome to attend.
Our focus is to decrease the inequities in breast/chestfeeding opportunities and rates that currently exist by race and culture. TCRBC recognizes that to have the greatest impact, it is crucial that people who have lived experience as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) are a part of the coalition.
Apply for a position and become an active member of the coalition.
Next meeting
Visit the Twin Cities Regional Breastfeeding Coalition website or contact [email protected].
Contact Us
Public Health
Connect with usRelated Resources
- Breastfeeding Resources (PDF)
- COVID-19 and Breastfeeding (PDF)
- Breast/Chestfeeding Friendly Public Spaces (Video clip)